1. Working with Students on Academic Probation: A Hands on Approach
Kristi Overfelt
Academic Advising and Retention Specialist
College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
General Studies Program
University of Idaho

2. Who Am I?
Kristi Overfelt, professional advisor in CLASS – General Studies
1st year and 2nd year students
Approximately 300 Advisees
71 of those are on probation (24%)
Last semester:
-85 on probation (28%)
-4% less on probation (14 students)

3. Probation holds are placed on the student’s account.
What is Probation?
When a student’s GPA falls below 2.0 for one semester
Exception: A student who has earned less than 33 credits can continue on probation with a minimum GPA of 1.8
Continued Probation
When a student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.0, while their semester GPA is above a 2.0
Probation holds are placed on the student’s account.

4. Disqualification
If, after going on probation, a student earns less than a 2.0 for the following semester, they will be placed on disqualification.
1st Disqualification: Students may petition their college appeals committee for reinstatement OR sit out for one semester.
2nd Disqualification: Students must petition their college appeals committee.
3+ Disqualifications: Students must petition their college appeals committee and the University Academic Petitions Committee.
NOTE: Academic Probation may create other consequences for students that will need to be addressed, such as Housing and Financial Aid.

5. Current Probation Plan
The Academic Plan: In order for the student’s probation hold to be removed, the student must fill out the plan and return to their Dean’s Office.
The plan requires them to:
List the courses they are taking the current semester
Write a 1-2 page essay explaining the reasons they went on probation
Explain what they will do differently
Meet with their academic advisor one time

7. Effectiveness of Current Plan
We have found that it is not effective for our students
Continued probation status
Recurring disqualification
No follow-through from students after probation hold is removed
Why?
Prescriptive
Does not address the specific needs of the student
Students tell you what you want to hear
No behavioral changes

8. New Plan: ASAP!
Developmental advising – E.S.I.D. (Every Student is Different)
Behavior changes
Builds academic skills
Equip the student with new learning strategies
Individualized plan to meet the varying needs of students

9. New Plan: ASAP! Steps: Student Guide/To-Do List Sign Agreement Plan
Self-Assessment Survey
GPA calculations
Academic Success Plan
Recurring meetings with advisor every 2 weeks

10. Mission & Goal:
Mission: This program is intended to help the probationary student learn and adopt behaviors associated with academic success. Our expectation is that the probation program will promote a successful outcome, and result in a more satisfying and productive college experience for the student.
Goal: Each student will achieve a 2.0+ GPA at the conclusion of the semester. Each student will develop a better understanding of what is required of the successful college student.

11. Objectives: Taking Responsibility: the source of probationary status
Developing a Plan of Attack: setting goals and how to get there
Different Pathways to Success
Assessing Progress: exams, assignments, midterms, and new behaviors
Taking Responsibility: the source of probationary status
Student outcomes are a result of specific behaviors, actions, and decisions. The connection between student outcomes and personal responsibility for these outcomes are sometimes obscured by the popular notion that the university has somehow failed the student. The premise of the academic probation program is the student (not the university) is responsible for the student’s academic probationary status. The present intervention program will explore what the choices (and associated behaviors) were, why they were made, and what is now needed to change the results.
Developing a Plan of Attack: setting goals and how to get there
Choices and decisions are not relegated to an individual time and a place. They present daily and are continual. Students on academic probation have made choices that resulted in their current academic standing. To remedy this and to avoid future similar situations the advisor will review what the university asks of the student and explore what the student is willing to do for success. Together they will develop a plan that addresses the demands placed on the student and will emphasize student behaviors that will support academic success.
Different Pathways to University Success
The student on probation is at a disadvantage. The playing field in which academic success can be achieved is not even as students come to the University of Idaho from different economic backgrounds, have different levels of family support and varying levels of motivation. There are many different pathways to success that can be fashioned and sculpted around the probationary student’s past and current experiences, social and personal needs, cognitive perspectives, and worldview. The advisor and student will take a look at the academic strengths and weaknesses each student brings to the university in an attempt to identify a successful academic path.
Assessing Progress: exams, assignments, midterms, and new behaviors
Close attention will be paid to progress and retention. Upon notice of academic probationary status, the student will want to reestablish good academic standing. Expressions of this goal will manifest in both verbal and behavioral statements. Verbal statements will serve as the basis of goal development. The advisor will work with the student to translate these to measurable (behavioral) action that will then contribute to our mutual assessment of changes made.

12. Student To-Do List Step 1: Attend Probation Orientation
Step 2: Complete the Self-Assessment Survey
Step 3: Complete the GPA Math exercise
Step 4: Meet with your Academic Advisor
Step 1: Attend Probation Orientation
Look for an from your advisor about when/where your Probation Orientation is being held. Here you will learn academic probation policies, receive your probation paperwork, and schedule a time to meet with your advisor.
Step 2: Complete the Self-Assessment Survey
There are many factors that contributed to being on academic probation. The self-assessment survey is required because it will help you and your advisor to understand what led to your probation status and establish an action plan and goals for the semester.
Step 3: Complete the GPA Math exercise
As a student on probation, you are encouraged to predict your grades for next semester. While on probation a primary concern is raising your GPA. To really know where you stand and what it will take to get off probation, you are required to calculate your projected semester GPA.
Step 4: Meet with your Academic Advisor
After attending Probation Orientation, completing the Self-Assessment Survey and the GPA Math exercise, you will meet with your advisor to turn in those materials and to prepare and develop your Academic Success Agreement Plan.

13. Agreement Plan (Contract)
Earn a 2.0
Attend all classes and complete all assignments on time
Limit enrollment to credits per semester
Discuss all course changes with advisor
Use Vandal Mail account REGULARLY!
Meet every 2 weeks with advisor
Participate in class grade and attendance checks

14. Meetings with Advisor Topics covered during recurring meetings:
Time management – learning to use a planner!
Campus resources – what is available on campus for student success
Stress management
Study skills – learning styles, active reading, note-taking, how to study, class participation
Test taking – essay and multiple choice
Motivation
Goal setting

15. Contact Information
Kristi Overfelt Idaho Commons room

16. QUESTIONS?